Father Wants Death Penalty for Daughter in 2013 TN Slaying of 5-year-old Landon Robbins

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Father Wants Death Penalty for Daughter in 2013 TN Slaying of 5-year-old Landon Robbins

Landon Robbins

Bradley Adcox and Jessica Robbins

It's been at least 20 years since the death penalty was sought in a Rhea County, Tenn., court, according to District Attorney Mike Taylor.

But, he said, that's what a number of Rhea County residents want for Jessica Robbins and Bradley Adcox, the couple accused of abusing Robbins' 5-year-old son Landon, ultimately to his death.

"I have received some calls from probably around a dozen people supporting the prosecution, saying 'We want to see justice done.' Words to that effect," Taylor said.

He is unsure whether the prosecution will file notice to pursue the death penalty against Robbins and Adcox but did not rule it out Wednesday afternoon.

The Rhea County grand jury handed down its indictments against Robbins, 29, and Adcox, 22, on Friday morning.

For Robbins, there are five felony charges: First-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, aggravated child endangerment and two counts of aggravated child abuse.

Adcox is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder and two counts of aggravated child abuse.

Robbins faces an aggravated child endangerment charge because she "did unlawfully and knowingly fail to protect Landon Robbins, a child eight years of age or less, from abuse or neglect resulting in physical injury," according to court documents.

At a preliminary hearing for Robbins and Adcox in September, Rhea County Sheriff's Office Investigator Rocky Potter said Robbins admitted that the couple forced Landon to drink liquid soap and eat cigarette butts as punishment, primarily when he did not go to sleep on time.

On Aug. 30, Jessica Robbins called 911 to report Landon was not breathing. Emergency personnel arrived and found the boy dead.

According to Potter, further investigation indicated Landon was abused and died of "multiple blunt-force trauma" injuries.

Jessica Robbins' father Jerry Wells is among those calling for the death penalty. He is conflicted, but not over whether a death sentence is too severe a punishment.

"I'd like to see them get death, I really would, but I think death's too good for them," he said.

Wells attended the brief indictment hearing Friday morning at the Rhea County Courthouse. He said Robbins' not-guilty plea did not surprise him.

"They said they wasn't guilty. I expected that," he said.

Landon's younger sisters -- Brooklyn and Samantha -- are staying with Jerry Wells' other daughter, Tonya Wilson, along with her husband Mark and their three kids.

"They're struggling, but they'll make it," Wells said.

Robbins and Adcox are scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 3, 2014.

A trial date for the accused murderers of 5-year-old Landon Robbins has been set, according to Rhea County court officials.

Landon Robbins’ mother Jessica Robbins and Bradley Adcox are set to go to trial on March 30, 2015.

Robbins and Adcox, both of Cawood Lane in Spring City, were charged with both first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse resulting in death after Robbins’ 5-year-old son Landon Robbins was found dead in the couple’s home.

The couple remains incarcerated at the Rhea County Jail.

Officials with the Rhea County Sheriff’s Department received an emergency call regarding a “child not breathing” at Robbins’ Cawood Lane home in September 2013. Officials said that first responders were unable to resuscitate the child and the house was declared a crime scene.

An autopsy ruled that the child died of blunt force trauma.

Investigators said the couple told them they forced the boy to drink dish washing liquid and eat cigarette butts as punishment. Investigators also testified in court that when they arrived on the scene and inspected the boys’ body, they noticed extensive bruising, two black eyes and a bite mark on his back.

The couple allegedly told deputies that the boy had been punished for not going to bed on time.

Both Robbins and Adcox were arrested and were also indicted by a Rhea County Grand Jury on first-degree murder charges in 2013.

Custody of Landon Robbins’ two younger sisters was given to family members, according to law enforcement officials.

"I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."

- Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

"It's messed up that SCOTUS still decides cases by tying up a goat in front of Mt. Rushmore and seeing if the presidents eat it."